The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, held a press conference in Tel Aviv after meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials. Blinken said the immediate focus of his visit is to try to extend the pause in fighting in Gaza and enable more hostages to be freed. The US also urged the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to protect civilians in Gaza. ‘Israel has one of the most sophisticated militaries in the world, it is capable of neutralising the threat while minimising harm to innocent men, women and children,’ Blinken said